Wolf Moon

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Yo could sense some nerves from Ming as his turn to perform his selected talent in the competition came closer. The young cat pretended to be engrossed in making sure his tie was straight, while in reality he took small glances at the wolf, not liking how pale or shaky he was. What was going on with him?

Had something happened between him and Kit?

Yo's whole body stiffened, thoughts of his best friend and Kit vanishing to the back of his mind when a sharp scent flooded his nose. A sneeze erupted, and he almost dropped his phone. Yo rubbed at his nose lightly.

That damn Park was out there in the crowd. Yo didn't know why he could smell the other cat so strongly, but his own cat clearly despised the scent. A lot.

Ming went out when it was his turn. He preformed each move, sharp and crisp, perfect as always. Yo cheered along with the crowd, knowing Ming was a shoo-in for Campus Moon. Yo considered himself lucky if he got even one thing. Just one prize, and he'd be satisfied, not being forced to go back to classes as the pathetic Moon from science who hadn't won anything.

Yo peeked past the curtain. He could see Kit and Beam a couple rows back from the stage, both clapping along with the rest of the audience. Beam was smirking at Kit. Kit had eyes for no one but Ming, a proud smile on his face.

So, the problem wasn't between Ming and Kit, but Ming's own issues of performing in front of his partner and fearing making a fool of himself. Typical Ming. He never believed in himself enough.

Everything went by too fast, and it was suddenly Yo being pushed out on the stage. He was lucky he didn't stumble. Yo never liked being in front of people. Both he and his cat were introverts, preferring their own company to others - the only exception being Pha, of course. He politely bowed to the audience, and took a seat at the grand piano waiting for him.

Even his own singing and playing was a bit blurry. All he could think about or see was Pha, standing next to Kit, watching Yo intently with his eyes shining. Then when Yo was finished, before the last note faded away, everybody burst into loud applause, a few whistles coming from the science students. Most likely the Fairy Angels, Yo's ladyboy friends, made up of both humans and shifters.

Yo escaped backstage as fast as he could to wait until everyone was done with their acts. They were all supposed to line up onstage again for the audience to give them their roses as votes. This was the part Yo was dreading even more than anything. He knew he wasn't going to win the Most Popular vote. Not by a long shot.

He glanced sideways at Ming as they lined up on the stage a few minutes later, wondering how the hell someone who had been so nervous earlier could be calm and cool now?? It wasn't fair. Now Yo had the jittery nerves threatening to make him run for the nearest restroom.

He walked forward with the others to receive his roses. As he expected, the Fairy Angels were first in line, gushing over his sweet song and voice, each one giving him about three roses before skipping back off to their seats.

What Yo hadn't expected was a stream of person after person, boy and girl, shifter and human, to keep giving him rose after rose after rose. And each of them gave him no fewer than three! Finally, near the the end of his line - and way after the other Moons and Stars had finished receiving their roses - Beam and Kit smiled up at him, roses in hand.

"What about Ming?" Yo asked Kit softly.

"I already gave him some roses," Kit answered nonchalantly, though his red cheeks gave away how shy he was about it.

Beam snorted. "Here, kid," he held out a fistful of five roses. "These are from me."

"And this is from me," Kit held out his own single, red rose.